Conscientious Objection
Soldiers of Conscience - NEW MOVIE!
Soldiers of Conscience is a dramatic window on the dilemma of individual U.S. soldiers in the current Iraq War – when their finger is on the trigger and another human being is in their gun-sight. Made with cooperation from the U.S. Army and narrated by Peter Coyote, the film profiles eight American soldiers, including four who decide not to kill, and become conscientious objectors; and four who believe in their duty to kill if necessary. The film reveals all of them wrestling with the morality of killing in war, not as a philosophical problem, but as soldiers experience it - a split-second decision in combat that can never be forgotten or undone. From filmmakers Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg available for sale and viewing. The film was shown on PBS in October 2008 - check your local station for rebroadcasts and see the PBS website for updates and information http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2008/soldiersofconscience/.
View the trailer and visit the film homepage at www.socfilm.com.
What is conscientious objection?
Conscientious objectors (CO's) are people who refuse to participate in the military and war. Some are civilians who do things like oppose war taxes and work to reduce the role of the military in society. Others become conscientious objectors only after they have experienced being in the military firsthand, either during peacetime or wartime. Some speak out publicly after having served in the military, forming a GI resistance movement.
If you think you might be a conscientious objector to registering for Selective Service (the draft) or you are in the military and you think you might qualify for a CO discharge, find out where you can get help and information.
Definition of CO as Someone Opposed to Fighting in War
- By the US military's definition, COs are service members or draftees who have come to believe because of religious or moral reasons that they cannot participate in any war. Morev >
I'm
a man turning 18 and I don't believe in war.
Can I register as a conscientious
objector?
- In reality, there are only two choices: either you register or you don’t. There is no box to check for “conscientious objector.” More >
Counseling
Military Conscientious Objectors During
Wartime-CO steps
- While it is always important to make sure that GI's are aware of all the discharges for which they might qualify, crisis conditions make it even more important that potential CO's are given full descriptions of all of their alternatives. More >
How
Can Someone Join and Then Become a CO?
- In wartime and in peacetime, at boot camp
and beyond, some service members begin to feel
that they cannot participate in war.
More >
How
Can I Resist Military Service as a
Non-Citizen?
- The only possible immigration consequence of filing for conscientious objector status is that you may not be able to get "quick" citizenship. More >
What
Happened to Vietnam Era War Resisters?
- During the entire Vietnam War, 209,517 young men were formally accused of violating draft laws. Government officials estimate that another 360,000 were never formally accused. More >
CO's in other countries
- The AFSC is supporting Israelis who refuse to serve in the military as part of the Faces of Hope Campaign. Military service is mandatory in Israel, and these conscientious objectors provide an important challenge to the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as well as the militarism of Israeli society.
- For more information about supporting CO's in other countries, see War Resisters League International.